04 February 2015

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today handed over two protest notes to representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, in connection with recent incidents in the Philippines’ Bajo de Masinloc.

The DFA received a report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that three Philippine-flagged fishing vessels, namely F/V OG BARBIE, F/V OCEAN GLORY 2 and F/V ANA MARIE, were intentionally rammed by Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 3412 on 29 January 2015 in Bajo de Masinloc, causing damage to the vessels and endangering the lives and safety of the Filipino fishermen on board. Philippine fishing vessels have been routinely, continuously, peacefully and sustainably fishing in the Philippines’ Bajo de Masinloc and the Philippines strongly protested China’s continuing actions to harass and prevent Filipino fishermen from legitimately pursuing their livelihood in that area.

The PCG also reported that on 22 January 2015, at least twenty-four (24) Chinese Utility Boats (CUBs) were seen collecting giant clams in the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc. Chinese fishing vessels (CFVs) were likewise spotted transporting collected giant clams to other CFVs. The Philippines strongly protested this destructive and illegal activity. The act of harvesting giant clams, which are among the most endangered marine species, entails the crushing and destruction of surrounding corals which result in the permanent destruction of the reef itself. China’s toleration of, and active support for, the environmentally harmful fishing practices by its nationals at Bajo de Masinloc constitute breaches of its obligations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). END